Nottingham Forest are understood to be monitoring Bristol Rovers defender Tom Lockyer as a potential fallback option if they are unable to land Sam Byram.

The Reds are still keen on bringing West Ham defender Byram to the City Ground on loan, as Aitor Karanka looks to bolster the right-back spot.

The former Leeds man remains Forest’s primary target, as they look to provide competition and cover for Tendayi Darikwa, the only experienced right-back on the Reds books.

Byram is viewed as surplus to requirements by Manuel Pellegrini, who has signed Ryan Fredericks from local rivals Fulham this summer – and already has the vastly experienced Pablo Zabaleta to call upon.

But while Forest remain hopeful of landing the 24-year-old on loan, they also have a number of alternative options in place, with Karanka keen to resolve the situation as a matter of urgency.

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The 5ft 11in defender has played for Rovers in League Two, the Conference Premier and more recently in League One. Lockyer has already notched up 227 starts and eight sub appearances for the Bristol club, scoring three goals.

Forest have high hopes for Nigel Doughty Academy product Jordan Gabriel, who has seen his progress hampered by injury over the past two seasons.

But Karanka is keen to secure more experienced competition for Darikwa at right-back, before the season kicks-off in two weeks.